Thermal Signature Target

ABSTRACT

A target with a thermal signature includes two or more bulletproof plates and a heater thermally coupled to at least one of the plates for heating the plate to produce the thermal signature.

BACKGROUND

Both military and law enforcement personnel require weapons training. Typically, this training is conducted on a rifle or pistol range with live ammunition. The target may be a traditional bulls-eye or a human silhouette. In some cases, the targets may be moving and may have shapes that trainees are to recognize and respond to during the exercise so as to make the training more applicable to situations the trainee may encounter in the field. Consequently, ballistic targets for such training purposes are a common commercial product.

Additionally, targeting systems for ballistic weapons, such as pistols and rifles, have evolved to better assist military and paramilitary personnel in different conditions. For example, such personnel are frequent using weapons in low light or night-time conditions. Consequently, image intensified (I²) or night-vision weapon sights have been developed. In a training context, these image intensified targeting systems do not require significant changes to training targets, which are visible through the image intensified sights in low ambient light.

In addition to image intensified weapons sights, thermal targeting sights have also been developed. Thermal targeting sights are sensitive to heat and show an image of different temperature zones in the area sighted. For example, a human body or other warm-blooded animal will have a corresponding and recognizable temperature signature that is warmer than its surroundings and will, therefore, be distinguished and visible through the thermal targeting sights. This enables combatants to readily identify and target hostiles in low light or night-time conditions.

However, difficulties can arise when training personnel to use such thermal targeting sights. Traditional range targets do not provide any thermal signature that can be detected when training with thermal targeting sights. Consequently, several attempts have been made to develop a durable target that provides some thermal signature.

One such approach is the use of passive materials that reflect the sky for high contrast against materials at ambient temperature; however, such materials offer no temperature control and are highly sensitive to sky conditions. Another approach uses passive materials to absorb heat from the ambient environment and generate a weak, non-controlled thermal signature. However, such materials can sustain a thermal signature for only a limited time. In both approaches, devices are generally destroyed fairly rapidly by bullet penetration.

Yet another approach involves the use of thermal blankets that can be draped over existing traditional targets. Such blankets can be composed of passive or powered materials. In the case of powered blankets, the temperature can be controlled to provide some control over the thermal signature generated. However, the blankets are also rapidly destroyed by successive bullet penetration and have a relatively short life. Consequently, the expense of using thermal blankets in such training exercises can be considerable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the principles described herein and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative durable thermal signature target according to principles described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates use of the illustrative target shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative plate configuration for a thermal signature target according to principles described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative thermal target according to principles described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a thermal signature of a thermal target according to principles described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative thermal target according to principles described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative thermal target according to principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The thermal signature target described herein is a ballistic-grade target providing a controllable thermal signature for training personnel in the use of weapon-mounted thermal imaging/targeting systems with live ammunition. In some embodiments, the target is a free-standing durable target designed to withstand up to 7.62 caliber rounds. Aside from electrical power, there are virtually no consumables associated with the operation and maintenance of the thermal signature target. Precise temperature control at designated target zones is achieved through hardware and software that permits both absolute and differential temperature settings. The temperature settings are stabilized through a real-time feedback loop. Temperature settings can also be adjusted remotely through wireless transmission, allowing the shooter(s) and range controller(s) to remain behind firing lines. The persistence of the target and remote control features are both great safety features and time savers.

In various embodiments, the target described is made from plates of bulletproof ballistic steel, connected together by standoffs that isolate vibrations and are thermally insulating. The plates are connected and shaped in a manner that provides a desired target shape and size as well as creates differing sections of a thermal signature that can be the aim within the target. Any one or more of the plates may include temperature sensors and heaters, so that the temperature of the plate and that part of the target's thermal signature can be controlled and stabilized through feedback to achieve the plate's specified temperature or differential temperature between plates.

The heaters, sensors, and feedback control system are placed behind the protective plates or within a bullet proof casing to protect those components from incoming rounds. All weather sensitive and/or impact sensitive devices or materials may be similarly protected. The plates may also comprise insulation placed on the down-range side of and/or partially surrounding a plate's heater to minimize heat loss and maximize heat projection in the shooter's direction.

In some embodiments, shock sensors may be attached to the plates to sense the impact of rounds on a specific plate. This allows the electronics of the target to provide a dynamic real-time indication of the shooter's proficiency. Additionally, these features may be used to assess and adjust the accuracy of a weapon, e.g., Rifle System Accuracy (RSA) evaluation. This will significantly enhance training protocols as well as enable rapid weapon accuracy assessment and thermal zeroing procedures.

Consequently, the target described herein offers a training capability not currently available for weapons training with thermal sights. The described target is virtually indestructible and may be a more permanent fixture on the target range with minimal required maintenance. It is designed to sustain rounds without being knocked over, yet the sophisticated integrated network of shock sensors provides the capability of scoring with virtually no possibility for undetected hits or false positive scores. The absence of material consumption combined with low maintenance requirements and durability to rounds will provide cost savings for operators of training ranges that utilize the described target. Consequently, the described target will be a valuable tool for the military as well as civilian police forces.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present systems and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least that one embodiment, but not necessarily in other embodiments. The various instances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative target (100) according to principles described herein. On the left side of FIG. 1 is a front view (101) of the target (100). This view (101) shows the target (100) as it would appear facing a shooter. As seen in FIG. 1, the target may have a number of different areas (103, 105, 107). In the example of FIG. 1, these areas are arranged concentrically similar to a traditional bull's eye target. Each area (103, 105, 107) may be differentiated by color or, as will be described in more detail below, by a different temperature within the target's thermal signature.

The target (100) is made of a series of plates (104, 106, 108). These plates may have different sizes, shapes and openings to form the desired target configuration. The plates (104, 106, 108) may also correspond to the different areas (103, 105, 107) of the target (100). For example, the outermost plate (104) may correspond to the outermost area (103) of the target. This plate (104) may also have an opening therein through which the other plates (106, 108) are visible. This is best seen in the side view (102) of the target (100) on the right side of FIG. 1. The next plate (106) may correspond to the second area (105) of the target and also include an opening through which the third plate (108), corresponding to the third target area (107), is visible to the shooter.

In the illustrated example, the plates (104, 106, 108) are made of ballistic steel capable of withstanding impact from the rounds used in training with the target (100). The quality of the steel and its ability to withstand impact from incident rounds determines the caliber of guns that can be used with the target (100).

As seen in the side view (102), each plate (104, 106, 108) is placed in a different layer. A number of standoffs (110) are used to connect and separate the layers of plates (104, 106, 108). These standoffs (110) insulate the various plates (104, 106, 108) from both the transfer of heat and vibrations from other plates. The standoffs (110) may comprise, for example, springs that absorb vibrations or impacts and that are also thermally insulated to prevent heat transfer. The number and strength of the standoffs (110) can be arranged as best suits a particular application, for example, depending on the caliber of weapon used on the target (100). As shown in FIG. 1, the standoffs (110) may be arranged so as to be protected from incident rounds by the plates (104, 106, 108). Consequently, the standoffs (110) need not be bulletproof as the plates (104, 106, 108) are, but may be.

FIG. 2 illustrates use of the target shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, two of the targets (100) described above are arranged on a firing range with a shooter's box (204) located behind a firing line from where shooters fire on the targets (100).

As also shown in FIG. 2, the target (100) described above can be used in different orientations. In a first orientation (201), the target (100) is oriented with respect to the shooter's box (204) as described in FIG. 1, with the first or largest plate (104, FIG. 1) closest to the shooter's box (204).

In a second orientation (202), the target (100) is reversed with the smallest plate (108, FIG. 1) being closest to the shooter's box.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the electronics of the target (100) may be placed differently depending on the orientation in which the target (100) is to be used so that such components are always protected. However, FIG. 2 illustrates that, under the principles described herein, a target of virtually any configuration, shape, design, etc. can be produced as best suits a particular application.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative plate configuration for a thermal signature target (300) according to principles described herein. As in previous figures, FIG. 3 includes a front view (301) of the target (300), showing the general shape and target areas from a shooter's point of view, and a side view (302) of a particular section of the target (301).

In the illustrated example, there are four plates (304, 306, 310, 312). In this way, the heated plates can be maintained at different temperatures to create a desired thermal signature. As in previous embodiments, the plates may all be made of ballistic steel so as to be impervious to bullet impact.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first or faceplate (304) is located closest to the shooter and provides the general target shape. The three remaining plates (306, 310 and 312) are arranged behind the faceplate (304). The shapes for the three rear plates (306, 310, 312) seen in the front view (301) on the left of FIG. 3 are the shapes of openings in the face plate (304) behind which the second layer of plates (306, 310, 312) are placed and are not necessarily the shape of the plates themselves. The shapes and their relative location on the silhouette (301) are arranged to approximate areas of relatively greater temperature in a human body.

The profile view (302) on the right of FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the central portion of the target (300). In the profile view (302), a portion of the faceplate (304) and the center rear plate (306) are shown. As described above, standoffs (308) are used to separate the various plates of the target (300). In the profile view (302), standoffs (308) are illustrated between the faceplate (304) and the center rear plate (306). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that standoffs may also be located between the face plate (304) and the other rear plates (310, 312) and/or between the various rear plates as best suits a particular application.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a controller or computer (314) which will selectively control the temperature of the plates (304, 306, 310, 312) of the target (300) to produce a desired thermal signature. As noted above, devices such as the controller (314) will be placed in bulletproof casing, behind the ballistic plates or in another place protected from incident bullets.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative thermal target according to principles described herein. The target (400) has the same general configuration as described above with respect to FIG. 3. Again, there is a frontal view (301) of the target and a side view (302), to the right, of a central portion of the target (400).

As shown in FIG. 4, the face plate (304) and at least one of the rear plates (406) are thermally coupled with a heater. Because the heaters are thermally coupled to the plates, the plates will absorb a portion of the heat generated by the heaters. Specifically, the faceplate (304) is heated by heater (413), and rear plate (406) is heated by heater (412). The heaters (412, 413) may be resistive heaters that produce heat through resistance to an electric current. Alternatively, other types of heaters may be used.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a separate heater may be associated with each and every plate in the target (400). In such an embodiment, each plate can be independently temperature controlled. Alternatively, a single heater may provide heat for two or more plates in the target as best suits a particular application.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear plate (406) includes an insulating backing (414). This backing (414) is implemented to prevent loss of heat from the heater (412). A similar insulating backing may be used with the heater associated with any plate in the target (400). The insulator (414) directs the heat of the corresponding heater (412) into the corresponding plate (406) so that the plate is heated more efficiently.

Additionally, each plate may include a temperature or heat sensor. In the illustrated example, the faceplate (304) is thermally coupled with a heat sensor (408), and the rear plate (406) is thermally coupled with a second heat sensor (410).

Because the standoffs (308) are thermal insulators, different plates may be heated to different temperatures. This heat, or differences in temperature, produces a desired thermal signature for the target (400) that can be seen through a weapon sight that has thermal imaging capabilities.

As shown in FIG. 4, the temperatures of the plates (304, 406) can be controlled by an electronic system, such as a controller or computer (416). The controller (416) will be communicatively coupled to the heaters (412, 413) and the temperature sensors (408, 410). Consequently, the controller (416) may receive input from the sensors (408, 410) and output control signals to the heaters (412, 413).

Using the ability to sense the current temperature of the plates (408 and 410) and the ability to control the heaters (412 and 406), a desired temperature or thermal signature among the various plates can be programmed into the controller (416) and accurately maintained. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the controller (416) may be an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a microprocessor, a general-purpose computer or any other combination of hardware and firmware that provides control, as desired, for the heaters and temperature sensors described herein.

The controller (416) will be programmed to use feedback principles to maintain the desired thermal signature in the target (400). For example, a user could set every plate in the target configuration to have any desired temperature subject to the limits of the heaters to heat the plates and the ambient temperature. The controller (416) can then maintain each plate's temperature independently.

Creating a temperature differential between adjacent plates is useful because some thermal sights depend more on detecting differences in temperature rather than absolute temperature. In FIG. 4, for example, the faceplate (304) could be set to 10 degrees warmer than the rear plate (406). This temperature differential is then visualized in the shooter's thermal sight.

It may also be that the temperature of the faceplate (304) will change due to variation in the ambient environment such as ambient temperature, movement of the sun, moving clouds or wind changes. The computer (416), however, could maintain the specified 10 degree differential between the two layers of plates regardless of the temperature of the faceplate (304). This would enable the target (400) to maintain the same differential all day long and even into the night despite changing ambient conditions. Such a target (400) would further have the capability of saving energy in that, if a reference plate is allowed to vary in temperature throughout the day, no energy will be used in heating that plate and the other plate or plates will be heated just enough to maintain the desired temperature differential, thereby minimizing energy consumption because only the temperature difference is maintained, not absolute temperatures.

In some embodiments, the faceplate (304) may not be heated or temperature controlled, while the rear plates are thermally active, meaning that they are each electively heated and may be independent temperature controlled. In other embodiments, the faceplate (304) may be backed by a single rear plate that is thermally active and controlled by the controller (416). However, in such an embodiment, the openings in the faceplate cannot be held at different temperatures as would be possible with the three separate rear plates described above.

FIG. 5 illustrates a thermal signature of a thermal target according to principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 5, the target, shown on the left, produces a thermal signature that is similar to that of a human being, shown on the right. Both the target and the person have a relatively hot region, indicated by a white color in FIG. 3, corresponding to a human's face. Both also have a relative hot region in the area corresponding to a human chest where heart and lung activity produce relatively more heat than other peripheral portions of the body.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative thermal target according to principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 6, the target (600) described herein can include the ability of sensing the impact of rounds and determining which plate was impacted. The target (600) shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment described above. Accordingly, a redundant explanation of components will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the target (600) may include shock sensors (606, 608) coupled to the various plates (304, 306) that might receive a bullet impact. These sensors (606, 608) may be, for example, accelerometers that output an electric signal to indicate movement of the sensor (606, 608) and therefore movement of the plate in response to being hit by a round. For example, if a bullet passes through the opening in the faceplate (304) and strikes the rear plate (306), that plate (306) will vibrate. The vibration will be detected by the sensor (606) attached to the rear plate (306).

Because the standoffs (308) isolate the vibrations of one plate from the others, the vibrations of the impacted plate would be different than the vibrations of the other plates. For example, if a round impacts on the faceplate (304), that will not trigger the shock sensor (606) on a rear plate (606). The sensitivities of the sensors can be calibrated so that each sensor registers only impacts on its corresponding plate.

When a hit occurs, the sensor (606, 608) will then output a signal to a scoring computer or controller (612). The scoring computer (612) will have a data line or “hit register” for each vibration sensor (606, 608) in the target (600). Consequently, the computer (612) can differentiate which plate in the target has been hit based on which hit register and associated sensor and plate are signaling a hit.

In this way, the computer (612) can produce a real-time, immediate scoring of the shooter's marksmanship or assist in sighting in the weapon being fired. With the incorporation of communication between the computer (612) and a computer behind the firing line, immediate feedback regarding which plate was hit could be given. This communication, for example, could be done wirelessly or through any other communication method.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front and side view of an illustrative thermal target according to principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 7, the target (700) can include the ability of wirelessly receiving commands or programming to control the thermal signature of the target. In other respects, the target (700) shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment described above. Accordingly, a redundant explanation of components will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is also intended to illustrate an embodiment in which all of the features described above are incorporated into a single embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the controller (714) includes (1) hit registers for detecting strikes to the target (700) sensed by sensors on the individual plates; and (2) temperature zone controls for controlling the temperature, individually, of each plate or temperature zone using a paired heater and temperature sensor on that plate.

The controller (714) also includes a wireless communication module (714). This module allows remote control of the target (700) from behind a firing line. Consequently, without approaching the target (700), an operator can use the wireless module (714) to receive the output of the hit registers or change the thermal signature of the target (700). The integrated controller (714) may reside in the immediate area of the target, either directly behind the target, or below ground, or on the ground while housed in bulletproof armor.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe embodiments and examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It should be noted that any sub-set or all of the features described herein may be incorporated into a single target as best suits a particular application. 

1. A target with a thermal signature comprising; two or more bulletproof plates; and a heater thermally coupled to at least one of said plates for heating said plate to produce said thermal signature.
 2. The target of claim 1, further comprising a standoff disposed between said plates, said standoff thermally and mechanically isolating said plates.
 3. The target of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor associated with one or more of said plates for sensing a temperature of that plate.
 4. The target of claim 3, further comprising a controller for receiving output of said temperature sensor and controlling said heater to produce said thermal signature using feedback from said temperature sensor.
 5. The target of claim 4, wherein each plate is thermally coupled to a heater and temperature sensor so that a temperature of each plate can be independently controlled by said controller.
 6. The target of claim 1, further comprising an insulator disposed over said heater to direct heat from said heater toward a said plate.
 7. The target of claim 1, wherein said plates comprise a faceplate having openings therein and a plurality of thermally-active plates registered with said openings in said faceplate.
 8. The target of claim 1, wherein said plates are made of ballistic steel.
 9. The target of claim 1, further comprising a vibration sensor coupled to at least one of said plates for outputting a signal indicating when that plate has been struck by a round.
 10. The target of claim 9, further comprising a controller for receiving output from said vibration sensor and for registering hits to said target based on said output.
 11. The target of claim 9, wherein said vibration sensor comprises an accelerometer.
 12. The target of claim 1, further comprising a wireless module for wireless controlling said heater.
 13. A target with a thermal signature comprising; two or more bulletproof plates; a heater thermally coupled to at least one of said plates for heating said plate to produce said thermal signature; a temperature sensor corresponding to said heater for sensing a temperature of a said plate heated by said heater; and a controller receiving output from said sensor and controlling said heater, wherein said controller controls said heater to produce said thermal signature based on said output from said sensor.
 14. The target of claim 13, further comprising a heater thermally coupled to each plate so that a temperature of each plate is individually controlled by said controller to produce said thermal signature.
 15. The target of claim 14, further comprising a vibration sensor corresponding to each said plate, wherein a signal from each said vibration sensor is provided to said computer as an indication that the corresponding plate has been hit.
 16. The target of claim 15, further comprising a wireless module for transmitting data from said controller about hits to said plates detected by said vibration sensors.
 17. The target of claim 13, further comprising a wireless module in communication with said controller for wirelessly controlling said controller to adjust said thermal signature.
 18. The target of claim 13, further comprising an insulator covering said heater to prevent loss of heat to a corresponding plate.
 19. The target of claim 13, wherein said plates comprise ballistic steel.
 20. The target of claim 13, wherein a configuration of said plates and thermal signature correspond to a human being. 